Reuterin → 1,3-Propanediol

Participants

Reaction Steps

There is produced a solution containing 8.1 percent by weight of 3-hydroxypropanal and 1.3 percent by weight of dimerized 3-hydroxypropanal both obtained as the result of the above hydration reaction. A known raney nickel catalyst is added to the resulting solution to hydrogenate 3-hydroxypropanal and dimerized 3-hydroxypropanal. Reaction conditions are: a hydrogen pressure of 100 kg/cm2, a reaction temperature of 60° C., and reaction time of six hours. When the reaction ends, the resulting solution is analyzed and it is acknowledged that there is produced 1,3-propanediol in an amount equal to a total of 3-hydroxypropanal and dimerized 3-hydroxypropanal. In other words, 1,3-propanediol is quantitatively produced. This indicates that dimerized 3-hydroxypropanal is converted into 1,3-propanediol by a known hydrogenation process.

Provenance & Evidence